Tag: Wisdom and Theology with Bishop Houston

I was recently asked a great question in our CHOF Christian Fellowship Facebook spiritual group.
The question was:
“IS A CHRISTIAN LADY AND A MUSLIM MAN EQUALLY YOKED”

Beloved,
there is no scripture that forbids a Christian from marrying a Muslim, since the Muslim religion did not begin until about four hundred years after the New Testament was written.
So the question becomes whether there is any scripture that forbids a Christian from marrying
any non-Christian?

Well,
the closest scripture to this would be “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”
“2 Corinthians 6:14” is the only scripture that is in a context about Christians participating in idol worship while still claiming to worship the one true God.
It says nothing about marriage, although it does point out potential problems with a marriage
with an unbeliever.

You see,
since Muslims and Christians beliefs are considerably different in ways, on many things,
and worship different Gods, problems will arise if either one is asked to participate in the religious practices of the other.

Since the dietary laws of Islam are strict, and Christianity doesn’t have any dietary restrictions,
the woman would have to decide whether she is willing to abide by those restrictions.
If there are children, then the decision must be made “if possible before the wedding” whether they will be raised in Islam or Christianity.
Now, a very strong dedicated Muslim will not allow his children, especially not male children, to be raised as Christians, and if a Christian believes that the only way to heaven is through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ they would not allow their children to be raised as Muslims. *(Unequally Yoked).

Beyond the consideration of children,
there have been many cases where a Muslim man moves to a Muslim country
and the wife then has to conform to a strict Muslim code of dress and action,
effectively making it impossible for her to worship God in the way she believes is right.
Even if these things are worked out before the marriage, a move to a Muslim country even for a supposedly short visit could negate any prior agreements. *(Unequally Yoked).

There is nothing in the Qur’an that allows a Muslim man to marry outside the faith.
As a matter of fact the Qur’an prohibits such a marriage. Sura 2:122 says:
“A man may not wed a pagan woman, unless she becomes a Believer.”
That would include women “of the book” that don’t believe in Islam.”

Also if a Muslim man is given the right to marry a Christian woman, the Qur’an or Islamic doctrine,
states the Muslim women are not given the same rights.

That’s because
Islam assumes that the wife will be, or be treated as, a Muslim.
If an Islamic woman married a Christian man, it is assumed she would become a Christian.
This is in part due to a cultural, not scriptural “Qur’an or Bible” difference.

You see,
in strict Muslim cultures the woman is basically considered as little more than property.
Although she is to be treated with respect, she is expected to obey the husband in
“ALL” things.
He’s under not obligated to consider her wishes, especially in the matter of religion.
In fact, his obligation is to make her as much a Muslim as he is.

On the other hand,
in 1 Corinthians 7 says:
Paul encourages a wife, who has converted to Christianity while her husband has not,
to stay married to the unbeliever.
So the Bible clearly does not prohibit a marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever.
But it does point out that there will be problems when that happens.

God bless you all.